A Maryland Supreme Court justice is facing criticism over a Halloween display that’s raising questions about his ability to remain impartial in a major case before him.
As first reported by Fox News, outside Maryland Supreme Court Justice Peter Killough’s lawn, there were various headstones reading “Here lies the Constitution,” “RIP Freedom of Speech,” “RIP Food Aid,” and notably — “RIP Climate Science.”
Maryland Supreme Court Justice Peter Killough, who was appointed to the court by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, is taking criticism for exhibiting his left-wing political leanings through a Halloween display at his Maryland home.https://t.co/1SlIuewsQ8
— Alan – Libertarian SaddleTramp (@thereminator101) October 31, 2025
Attorney and Partner at Silverman Thompson, Kurt Nachtman, pointed to judicial rules of ethical conduct, reminding judges they must avoid even the perception of bias.
“A judge shall not engage in any partisan political activity,” Nachtman read.
That was especially relevant as a high-stakes climate liability case was moving forward — Baltimore City leaders suing major oil companies.
“If I were a litigant in that particular case, I would be examining whether or not I would be filing a motion for that particular judge to disqualify himself,” Nachtman said.
Meanwhile, online, the display was already getting backlash.
Former Texas Republican Rep. Jason Isaac wrote, “A liberal MD judge at the center of a lawsuit seeking to bankrupt energy companies over climate change has been exposed as a climate cultist.”
According to a report by Fox News, the signs belong to Justice Killough’s wife, and according to a spokesperson, Killough had no further comment.
Nachtman noted that Killough’s wife had a right to express her own political opinions.
“Which are certainly independent to her husband’s,” said Nachtman.
As for what would come next, Nachtman had the following response: “There’s obviously news stories and then there’s what’s called a Commission on Disabilities. So someone would have to file a complaint with the Commission on Disabilities in Annapolis and they would have to look into this. If there’s a public reprimand or a public censure, that would be something that we find out down the road.”
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